Strona 429 z 1118

We will relate only a few of the words which he continued to

ejaculate, during the remainder of this miserable evening. "Ah!

host, host," resumed he, following him with his eye around the

table, or gazing at him where he was not, and taking no notice of

the noise of the company, "host that thou art! I cannot swallow

it-this request of name, surname, and business. To a peaceable

youth like me! you have not behaved well! what satisfaction, what

advantage, what pleasure-to put a poor youth on paper? Am I not

right-speak, gentlemen? Hosts should stand by good fellows.

Listen, listen, host, I wish to make a comparison for you-for the

reason--They laugh, do they? I am a little gay, I know; but the

reasons, I say, are just. Tell me, if you please, who is it that

brings custom to your house? Poor young men, is it not? Do these

lords, they of the proclamations, ever come here to wet their

lips?"

"They are all water-drinkers," said one who sat near Renzo.